Newberry Honors Dr. John Brown with Portrait Dedication
NEWBERRY — Last week, an emotional ceremony took place at Newberry County Memorial Hospital to honor the late Dr. John Brown. A portrait of the beloved surgeon was unveiled, marking a heartfelt dedication to a man who dedicated decades to caring for the community.
Dr. Brown, who passed away in 2021, was remembered not only for his exceptional surgical skills but also for his deep commitment to the people of Newberry. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital had previously been unable to host a proper recognition of Brown’s remarkable service, making this ceremony even more special.
A Lifelong Commitment to Health
Dr. Brown was a proud graduate of Clemson University and Duke Medical School. After serving in the United States Navy during the Cuban Crisis in 1965, he completed an internship at MUSC in Charleston, becoming board certified in General Vascular and Thoracic Surgery. He joined Palmetto Surgical Associates in Columbia in 1970, a practice known as the oldest general surgery practice in South Carolina.
In 1982, he gained further expertise by taking a four-month cardiovascular fellowship at the Houston Heart Institute and played a key role in launching the open-heart program at Richland Memorial Hospital.
Brown returned to Newberry in 2001, taking on a private practice and later joining Newberry County Memorial Hospital. His return was significant, as at that time, the community was without a single surgeon. He continued to serve until 2018, expanding his services to include training in wound care and hyperbaric medicine.
A True Humanitarian
Throughout his career, Dr. Brown was highly regarded not only for his medical skills but also for his humanitarian efforts. He provided free medical services to clinics in Columbia, Laurens, and Newberry, participated in a medical mission to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, and was deeply involved in his church, St. Andrews Lutheran Church.
In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by then-Governor Nikki Haley in 2011, honoring him as the highest civilian honor in South Carolina.
A Family’s Tribute
During the dedication ceremony, Dr. Brown’s wife, Susandale Cauble Brown, expressed the family’s gratitude, stating, “John loved his job in Columbia, but he was glad to come back to Newberry and to Newberry Hospital. The support from the hospital was invaluable to him.”
Dr. Brown’s youngest daughter, Anna Brown Applegate, reflected on her father’s legacy, urging hospital staff and community members to remember his kindness, laughter, and wisdom whenever they pass by his portrait. “My dad wasn’t just my dad, he was a hero,” she said.
Community Remembered in Stories
Members of the hospital staff and the community shared their fond memories of Dr. Brown during the ceremony. Many recalled him as not just a skilled surgeon, but also as a trustworthy friend and a humorous figure. Corey Brown, the surgery director at Newberry County Memorial Hospital, emphasized his profound impact, stating, “He was a teacher, a father figure, and a phenomenal surgeon whose reputation will hold here for a very long time.”
Another colleague, Dr. John Thompson, who worked alongside Brown, shared his respect and admiration, noting, “When I first came to Newberry in 1978, Dr. Brown was the surgeon we could always depend on.”
As the ceremony concluded, John Snow, the CEO of Newberry County Memorial Hospital, expressed his happiness at the event, acknowledging Brown’s instrumental role in shaping the hospital’s legacy. “We are certainly glad to have all of the family here along with the staff to celebrate the work and many years of service from Dr. Brown to this hospital and community,” he said.
The portrait of Dr. John Brown will now serve as a lasting tribute to a remarkable life dedicated to healing and service, ensuring that his memory continues to inspire those who walk the halls of Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
